DP7 & PSD file format

Will the trial version of DP7 open PSD files? I can't seem to open any PSD (photoshop) files by drag & drop or import.

Any ideas?

Thanks!

Yes, it can. At least the moderately simple ones I just tried.

As far as I understand it, the trial versions are not cripple-ware. They are simply time-limited versions.

If you can upload one that cannot be opened, I or another person can give it a whirl. If the file is too large for the forum, you can upload to drobbox or the like and post the link.

Take care, Mike

Hi Mike,

Here is a link to a sample file. (Hope it works...my 1st Dropbox upload) Thank you for taking a look!

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/30777485/8.5x11.psd

It's downloading...just a few questions as the 100 meg file is coming my way.

It's obviously a large file. What is the intent--is it going to straight to print from XDP, adding more elements within XDP, or ?

Take care, Mike

Ok. Select the 5 adjustment layers and merge them, save as a copy and it will import just fine.

Many (at least non-Adobe) applications don't know what to do with the adjustment layers as they are non-destructive layers that simply act upon what is below.

Take care, Mike

It opened for me but with, what I would call, mixed results.
Seems to be a lot of information missing, and there are a lot of large white squares.
The Xperts will probably be able to give you a more accurate assessment.

You probably need to do something to the .psd file and then open it in DP7.

EDIT: Oh, I see that Mike has given you some advice.

You can download my .xar version from:

[file link removed at OP request]

I will leave it there for a few days.

Rik, the white areas are simply the artifacts of the adjustment layers that cannot be converted or used in XDP.

The way to get these PSD files into XDP are:
(1) flatten the adjustment layers in a copy of the file,
(2) flatten all the layers,
(3) export as a TIFF if needing CMYK (like this file).

Any of the above will allow import into XDP wonderfully intact and correct.

Take care, Mike

Hi Mike.

I know very little about PhotoShop and things like what you're talking about!

I assume that you mean, uncheck the Layers option (shown in the picture below) before saving.

Attachment 82075

Yes, that will make a single-layer PSD file. It is the same as choosing to flatten all layers in the layers tab.

The reason I have gotten use to simply flattening the adjustment layers rather than the entire file is possible is to preserve any text layers I have in the PSD file. They do come into XDP.

Take care, Mike

My bad....fell asleep at the keyboard. sorry for dropping the ball!

I'm trying to add text to the sample graphic but it will not open. Error message attached.

Thanks again.

Attachment 82080

have you left the text in a text layer ?

you may have to flatten it to a normal layer [non editable text] before you export to PSD for xara import..

Rik,

Thanks for posting your .xar file. Still can't open it with the .psd suffix and after I changed your file name to eliminate the .psd it still won't open it. Same error message.

Any ideas?

Hi Steve,

I'm still unable to open/import the basic .psd file (no text added). I was just stating my intention for the file after it opened in DP7. For now, just getting the basic, unedited file read by DP7 is my goal.

Thank you for the comment.

Error message changes for several other .psd file attempts.


Attachment 82081

Hi - ok sorry misunderstood

Rik has posted a compressed file in .rar format [and alternative to .zip] - you will need to unzip it before you can open it in xara

Hi Steve,

As mentioned above - I unzipped Rik's .rar file without problem and could not open it since it still uncompressed with the .psd suffix. I changed the name & suffix of his file but still had no luck. Seems the .psd data is embedded and read by DP7 on my machine. I was one of the unlucky gray/black skin problem computers back when WD6 (or was it 5?) was released. I suppose there is no connection between the two but it sure seems that I run into one-up anomalies upon new releases. Hope it's not my X MOJO.

Will upload a different/smaller .psd file next.

Here is a considerably smaller 2MB .psd file. Can anyone open it in DP7 without conversion or an error (file format) message?

Thanks for taking a look!

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/30777485/Stars_MG07.psd

this what I get [no error message]

[file removed at OP request]

Steve,

Your saved .xar file opens just fine for me in DP7. Of course, I still can't open it pre-conversion and have no idea why not!

Thanks for opening it.

can you open/import the attached PSD in XDP7

if not and you are vista or win 7 it is worth right clicking and running the program as administrator if you havn't done that already [you only need to do it once] - that should clear up any faulty registrations with the import filters

[its worth doing anyway like as not]


[file removed at OP request]

Hi Steve,

Yes, your .psd file opened after "run as admin..." GOOD THINKING! I was also able to open the original 110mb file I posted earlier with results similar to Rik's "mixed results". Next step is to follow Mike's 3 adjustment suggestions and see what works.

Mike - Am I to assume you mean flatten layers in a different program prior to opening it in DP7 or is there a flattening function in DP7?

In any case MANY THANKS to you guys for these suggestions. I should have remembered "run as admin" from my previous challenge. This forum is awesome!

Cliff

I think MIke meant make a copy PSD and flatten the layers in that in photoshop - and then save that, which should then open in XDP7

You are probably correct and Mike meant to use photoshop before opening in DP7. I was hoping to keep it simple and avoid Adobe for these types of projects. I enjoy Xara products very much and would prefer using DP7 whenever possible. I'll keep at it...Mike suggestions will help.

Thanks again! Cliff

ok - well there may be ways of doing things from scratch in XDP7 rather than in PS - just ask :D

do - you want the example files removed?

sure. I will remove the files from Dropbox as well.

done :)

Sorry for coming back late in the day. Got up and spent a couple hours hard at work then golfed the rest of the day.

In answer...yes, at least the adjustment layers need flattened prior to a good import into XDP. It's not a biggie for the simple reason that once designed, its already opened! So what I do when I think I have a PSD ready for prime time is to first save a copy, flatten any adjustment layers and any text layers *if* I have added any shadows or other textual embellishments. Depending on the file, I may save a TIFF of the file, especially if I am saving a color space in a CMYK file. Saving as a TIFF obviates any importation issues in just about any application.

I am not sure if I am recalling properly, but with XDP6 I think I had issues importing PSD files that had a CMYK color space defined in them as well. So with any complex PSD file, I think the TIFF export is the quickest, most assured way from PS to the layout app.

Take care, Mike

Mike,

I was thinking about .psd files downloaded from external sources that need tweaking rather than my original artwork files in .psd. Nevertheless, the options you provide are very helpful and I'm in the process of experimenting with these options so I can save a step by just bringing the .psd file directly into DP7 for quick edits that will be webpage bitmaps. For more complex graphics such as the original one posted I believe you are right on with the 3 suggestions you offer. It'll be another late night playing with this new info but you've made it more enjoyable with these options.

Have a good one!

Cliff

Hi Cliff,

Likely most PSDs off the internet won't be too involved with adjustment layers. You'll likely not have any issues inside of XDP.

Take care, Mike